Brazil will create a nationwide disaster-prevention and early-warning system following recent floods and landslides that killed nearly 750 people in mountain towns north of Rio de Janeiro, a government official said Thursday.

A South African chain's shareholders have overwhelmingly accepted Wal-Mart's offer to buy 51% of their company, the chief executive said Monday, paving the way for the giant U.S.-based retailer to enter Africa.

A break in near-constant rain Sunday allowed Brazilian rescue helicopters to deliver desperately needed food and water to some of the neighborhoods buried under tons of earth in mudslides that killed more than 600 people.